Congratulations to WEA board member Kathleen Filippelli, who was recently awarded the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Medal of Honor for Education by Archbishop William Lori. Kathleen, who retired in 2021, was a teacher and administrator in Catholic schools in Philadelphia and Baltimore for 44 years, most recently serving as principal at Holy Angels Catholic School, which was a WEA partner school until its closing. Please join us in congratulating Kathleen on this well-deserved recognition of her lifelong commitment to education and service. (Photo by Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) (fb)

Let the judging begin! Volunteers from the WEA board and the Notre Dame of Maryland University have begun the process of reviewing the hundreds of faith essays submitted by the students at our 3 partner schools for WEA's Annual Faith Essay Contest. Over the next month judges will read students responses to following: PreK-2 : What do you love most about the world God made? (Genesis 1:31) Grades 3-5: How do you show your love and kindness to others? (John 13:34) Grades 6-8 : How can you be a “light of the world” in your community? (Matthew 5:14-16) While the topics were selected with kids in mind, perhaps the topics are relevant for reflection, regardless of age, this Lenten season. (fb)